Super League match review: Wigan Warriors 24-20 Warrington Wolves

Scoreboard

Match Review

Four unanswered 2nd half tries from Wigan secured a thrilling 24-20 victory over Warrington in a game of two halves at the DW Stadium.

Two tries from Joel Monaghan and Richie Myler’s effort had cancelled out Joe Burgess’ early try to give the Wolves an 18-6 lead at half time.

However, a 2nd half come back from the Warriors which included tries from Josh Charnley (2), Burgess grabbing his 2nd and Blake Green secured the points for Wigan.

Despite Warrington having the majority of the early possession, it was Wigan who scored first on 6 minutes. A move on the left hand side 5 metres out saw Michael McIlorum find Sean O’Loughlin who put Burgess in in the corner for his first try of the night.

The next 20 minutes went without a try in a hard fought game, but Warrington scored their first of 3 tries in 14 minutes on 26 minutes. Dan Sarginson was penalised for illegally grabbing Stefan Ratchford away from a tackle, giving Warrington possession up the field. Quick play out wide from Warrington saw Chris Bridge run towards the line with the ball before finding Joel Monaghan on his outside as the Australian went over for the Wolves first try.

8 minutes later, Warrington scored their 2nd in controversial circumstances. Chris Bridge broke through the Wigan defence to find Richie Myler who went over under the posts, but Chris Hill had knocked on in the build up. The handling error wasn’t seen by referee Phil Bentham however, and Myler’s try was awarded.

The momentum was with Warrington as the first half drew to a close, and with a minute remaining Joel Monaghan went over for his 2nd try of the night. A knock on from Charnley had given the Wolves possession 20 metres out from the Wigan line, and a high kick from Myler was collected by Monaghan who touched down just before the whitewash for his 28th try of the season. Warrington led 18-4 at the interval.

If Warrington had control in the first half, the 2nd period belonged to Wigan who began brightly, Joe Burgess going over in the corner for his 2nd try of the night on 44 minutes after a smart move from Matty Bowen and Sarginson put the winger in.

5 minutes later Wigan scored again. A kick from Anthony Gelling out wide was kicked on from Charnley, who then chased and collected the ball to go over for a brilliant try. However, Matty Smith failed to convert the try again, and his 0% conversion rate meant Wigan trailed 18-12.

The game then heated up with some indiscipline from both sides. A fight broke out on 53 minutes which led to Paul Wood and Eddy Pettybourne both being sin-binned, although Wood was the aggressor and the Warrington prop was lucky not to be sent off. A shoulder charge moments later from Joel Tomkins on Gareth O’Brien gave Warrington a penalty under the sticks. Ratchford converted to extend the Wolves advantage to 20-12.

2 Wigan tries in the following 5 minutes secured the points for the Warriors however. Charnley scored his 2nd of the night on 62 minutes after intercepting a wayward pass from Michael Monaghan to run 60 metres and score.

Blake Green then forced his way over 3 minutes later, despite the best efforts from Matty Russell to hold him up. Green’s try put Wigan ahead as the momentum firmly swung back the Warriors’ way.

Wigan held on for the win despite the best efforts from Warrington to force their way over in the dying seconds. The win moves Wigan in to 2nd, but will drop down to 3rd if Castleford win away at Catalan on Saturday.

Warrington’s fate depends on the outcome of Friday’s clash between St Helens and Huddersfield. Wolves fans will be hoping rivals Saints can secure a victory which would see Warrington finish 4th and with an easier route to the Grand Final.